Comparison can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can motivate you to do better by recognising and adopting good traits, skills and habits from those you look up to. On the other hand, if unchecked and excessive, it can result in unhealthy self-criticism.

As an aspiring lawyer, it can be greatly beneficial to learn from others and to implement skills and techniques that bring you closer to becoming a lawyer – after all, that is the goal.

However, it is all too easy for people, especially aspiring lawyers, to fall into the trap of detrimental comparison. I will explore the negative aspects here.

Self-criticism can be helpful in aiding you to improve things about yourself. For instance, you should always proofread your assignments or an application before submitting. What purpose does this serve? Of course, it’s to ensure that your work does not have silly typos. But more than that, it’s so that you can read over what you think is good about your work and has achieved the outcome you are desiring, and then editing the areas which you think may be lacking. This is a very simple and effective means of self-critiquing.

Self-criticism becomes an issue when it shifts from propelling you to the standard that you want to achieve, to instead resulting in either burnout or stagnation.

Burnout

Cambridge Dictionary defines burnout as the state of having no energy or enthusiasm because of working too hard.

Sound familiar? You may be experiencing burnout. The definition itself already exemplifies the issue with it – no energy or enthusiasm. It is no secret that lawyers work long and hard hours. You cannot expect yourself to have energy for, or enjoy, lawyering if you are working yourself to the bone. You may feel that you are not working hard enough and yet still feel exhausted. This is where the comparison element comes in. It is all too common for aspiring lawyers to look at others and think that they are not working hard enough, not achieving as much and as great as their peers, and ultimately are failing. If this resonates with you, chances are you are experiencing burnout, or are the very least, have fallen into the trap of unhealthy comparison.

Stagnation

Cambridge Dictionary defines stagnation as a situation in which something stays the same and does not grow and develop.

Another type of unhealthy comparison is stagnation. Perhaps you are not working yourself to the bone, though it is possible that you may be fluctuating between burnout and stagnation. People who experience stagnation, similar to burnout, may experience a lack of energy and motivation. The reason for this is likely to be a lack of confidence in yourself. Perhaps you feel as though there is no point in trying because you will never be good enough. Or perhaps you feel that you have failed too many times and you should give up now. Or perhaps you are scared to ‘mess up’.

The solution?

As for burnout, you need to take a break. It is definitely easier said than done, but hopefully the following statement will help: self-care is productivity. This ties in with the saying that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Think about why you have breaks throughout the school day, or why you have a lunch break at work. It is to prevent burnout. Your brain needs some time to unwind and destress. If you are someone who finds it difficult to switch off because you feel that you constantly need to be ‘doing more’, remind yourself that self-care is productivity. You will be re-energised and, as a result, will do better at the tasks at hand.

When it comes to stagnation, there are two things that I have found to be helpful. Firstly, write down your ‘why’. Why is it that you want to become a lawyer? Remind yourself of this each time you are lacking motivation or feel that is it pointless for you to try. Secondly, have a read-through your CV or prior applications. It can be easy to forget all that you have achieved so far, particularly when you diminish your own accomplishments after comparing yourself to others. This will hopefully serve as a reminder that you are not ‘failing’, and that you worked hard to gain all of those skills and experience thus far. It would therefore be a shame to give up now.